Nicola Sturgeon nailed her Brexit speech, and the Express is not happy

On 15 October, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon delivered a speech at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). It was on the contentious topic of Brexit. Sturgeon used the speech as an opportunity to promote the UK staying in the single market and customs union as a “compromise” between leavers and remainers. But the Leave-supporting Daily Express didn’t take too kindly to this proposal, or her speech.

The compromise

The mainstream media are not often fans of Sturgeon when it comes to constitutional matters. But the first minister set out her compromise for the UK, which she says reflects the result of the EU referendum.

Start your day with The Canary News Digest

Fresh and fearless; get excellent independent journalism from The Canary, delivered straight to your inbox every morning.

Email Address

First name

Last name

Mobile number (optional)

Website

membership of the single market and customs union is surely the obvious democratic compromise. It is certainly in my opinion a better reflection of the referendum outcome than anything the UK Government has so far proposed.

This would see the UK adopt a Norway-style arrangement with the European Union.

The Daily Express

But the Daily Express didn’t take too kindly to the speech, or the digs at the UK government. It clutched its pearls and led with this headline:

And others in the mainstream media were also unimpressed. Former Evening Standard journalist turned Guardian deputy political editor Pippa Crerar claimed Sturgeon didn’t provide a “realistic” answer to her question.

But voters were quick to call Crerar out:

This is a great example of the framing that is putting people off MSM 'journalism'.

It seems Sturgeon cannot win with some when it comes to Brexit or Scotland’s constitution.

Sturgeon, Scotland and the speech

Sturgeon started her speech openly and honestly. The first minister of Scotland said that she and her government come from a perspective of opposing Brexit. But since the vote, the Scottish government has tried to “recognise” the overall UK result – “even if [they] don’t entirely understand it”.

Sturgeon went on to compare the UK’s treatment of devolved nations with the EU’s treatment of equal independent nations:

The European Union has supported Ireland and shown it nothing but solidarity as it confronts the challenges of Brexit; by contrast, the UK has dismissed and ignored Scotland’s concerns.

Looking at the UK and the EU, it is fair to say that only one has looked like a partnership of equals. And over the past two years that has not been the UK.

She also confirmed that the Scottish government would “do nothing to stand in the way” of a different deal for Northern Ireland. But Sturgeon did say a Northern Ireland deal would strengthen the argument for Scotland having a “differentiated approach” to the rest of the UK. This includes the possibility of Scotland remaining in the single market and customs union.

Sturgeon also set out that Scotland must have the right to choose independence from the rest of the UK, saying:

we believe that when there is greater clarity about the terms of Brexit than exists today, Scotland must have the option to choose a different course, as an independent member of the EU.

And finally…

In reality, Sturgeon is providing logical and sensible solutions to the problems in the Brexit chaos. She has defended Scotland’s interests during the EU withdrawal process when devolution was being undermined.

It could be time for Sturgeon’s political opponents to get behind her, and work to secure a fair Brexit deal for Scotland. The timeline for Brexit is getting shorter and shorter.

Since you're here ...

We know you don't need a lecture. You wouldn't be here if you didn't care.
Now, more than ever, we need your help to challenge the rightwing press and hold power to account. Please help us survive and thrive.

This site

This website uses cookies

We, and our partners, set cookies and collect information from your browser to provide you with website content, deliver relevant advertising and understand web audiences. See our privacy policy to learn more about how we manage your data and your rights. See our cookie consent policy to understand how we use cookies and tracking technology. To agree to our use of cookies, click "Accept".